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A Noble Comfort: A Blue Bird Retelling
As lady-in-waiting to the crown princess, Thalassa d’Acton is used to hectic palace life. The bustle is a good excuse to avoid thinking of the insecurities that plague her. But when a usurper takes over the throne, Thalassa finds herself and her princess imprisoned in a lonely tower—and with all the time in the world to worry.
Outlawed Azaziah has roamed the land for years with his band of Inseparables. Playing knight errant was a God-given task, and helps him bear the knowledge that evil is spreading over his land unopposed. But now he alone knows the secret plans of the usurpers… and he isn’t enough to overturn the peril himself.
As personal and political turmoil heightens, despair floods over the hearts of Thalassa and Azaziah. What can comfort them even in the face of defeat? And can their inadequacy and loneliness possibly be the very opening the Eternal needs to change the course of their country’s destiny?
A Noble Comfort is a nonmagical Christian fantasy retelling of The Blue Bird and is Book #16 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
Outlawed Azaziah has roamed the land for years with his band of Inseparables. Playing knight errant was a God-given task, and helps him bear the knowledge that evil is spreading over his land unopposed. But now he alone knows the secret plans of the usurpers… and he isn’t enough to overturn the peril himself.
As personal and political turmoil heightens, despair floods over the hearts of Thalassa and Azaziah. What can comfort them even in the face of defeat? And can their inadequacy and loneliness possibly be the very opening the Eternal needs to change the course of their country’s destiny?
A Noble Comfort is a nonmagical Christian fantasy retelling of The Blue Bird and is Book #16 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
8 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Katja H. Labonté
31 books347 followersKatja H. Labonté is a Christian, an extreme bibliophile who devours over 365 books in a year, and an exuberant writer with a talent for starting short stories that explode into book series. She is a bilingual French-Canadian and has about a dozen topics she’s excessively passionate about (hint: that’s why she writes). Katja writes both contemporary and historical fiction, as well as non-magical historical and contemporary kingdom fiction, and covers themes of worth, love, peace, and Christian growth. She spends her days enjoying little things, growing in faith, learning life, and loving people. You can follow her life journey, find free books, browse her services, and more on her website and blog.
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February 13, 2026**ANC made it to the FINALS for the Once Upon a Pen Awards!! I’m so grateful for all the nominations I received 🥹 If you want to vote here’s the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... You can also vote for the entire Cornerstone Series in the Best Series category! Please note you must have read a book to vote for it in any category except Best Cover. Again, my deepest thanks to those who voted for my novel, and all the best to everyone 🫶🏼**
Dear ANC,
Well, here we are: release month. Just a week left until your due date. I can hardly believe it... when I'm not hyperventilating with stress, that is. I remember, five months ago, talking about how thankful I would be to get to this date. To have you off my hands. To be finished. I remember thinking I wouldn't even get there.
But you know what? That's only one side of the coin. There's the other side too. The one where I enjoyed myself. Where I wrote with a big smile on my face and little squeals of delight escaping me. Where I realized I was gonna have a hardcover. Where I gazed in disbelief at my preorders going up and getting closer to my dream number. Where I made reels that thrilled my soul. Where I stayed up till 1 a.m. because I couldn't bear to put down my own book.
Where I realized I was living out my sixteen-year-old self's dream.
And I'm so glad you're the book that made me accomplish that. Because I genuinely love you. You have so many of my favourite things:
* a setting that is based on history (including very mild mentions of religious persecution!), but that mixtures together my favourite elements from different eras (Victorian, Regency, Edwardian, Louis XIV, French Revolution, medieval...)
* a strong, beautiful friend group, but also betrayal by those you least expected to hurt you
* political drama, but with a message of peace despite your lack of control that really comforted me in this chaotic time
* a teensy adorable romance with a specific scene that made me smile until I felt like a Cheshire cat (and no misunderstandings or romantic drama)
* a retelling of The Bluebird inspired by The Three Musketeers, including lots of royal/court life and secret identities, but without filth or magic
* side characters who model the Christian faith + life, but also lots of realistic struggle (even bickering!) and humour
* an old-fashioned style with Robin Hood/Scarlet Pimpernel and G.A. Henty vibes, creating plenty of action and excitement, but skipping the rebellious attitude
* themes of loneliness, anxiety, grief, depression, guilt, body image/self-worth issues, and fear, which aren't erased or solved, but where you're pointed to the comfort you need
* cousin love, but also representation of how the people you love the best are sometimes those you understand the least
* lots of prayer, but also representation of struggling with Bible reading
* a theme of coming to terms with singleness, but that doesn't take over the whole story or end in a romance
* a maiden-in-distress/knight-in-shining-armour plot, but with God showing up and actually doing all of the saving himself
* lots of beautiful clothes (because why does old fiction get to be the only ones who describes clothes?) and lots of scripture (because why can't we have epigraphs and quotations in modern fiction?)
Yes, I put a lot of myself into you. Maybe more than I have in anything else, surprisingly. Pun not intended: you've been a tremendous comfort to me, because you keep reminding me that in everything I'm struggling through, turning my eyes back to the Master Author is always the help I need.
And now my journey is complete. Go forth into the world, little ANC. May you be a blessing and a joy. And whether you are loved or disliked, I hope you always point people to the source of all comfort.
Lovingly,
Your author
~ // ~
January 2025 | My wonderful editor Erika just finished her edits. I’ve applied them, and now the book is in the hands of my lovely proofreader Cate! We’re so close to finished, y’all!!!
~ // ~
December 2024 | And the beta feedback + self-edit is over! Now it’s in the hands of my lovely editor. I’m so excited, y’all, I love this book SO much 🥰
~ // ~
November 2024 | And it’s finished!!! ~50,000 words, so it’s a little beast, but we’re done at last! 🥳
~ // ~
October 2024 | And the writing has commenced!!! Aiming for 30k this month! 💪🏼
~ // ~
September 2024 | And it's live! Preorder it for just 99¢!!! 🤗
Dear ANC,
Well, here we are: release month. Just a week left until your due date. I can hardly believe it... when I'm not hyperventilating with stress, that is. I remember, five months ago, talking about how thankful I would be to get to this date. To have you off my hands. To be finished. I remember thinking I wouldn't even get there.
But you know what? That's only one side of the coin. There's the other side too. The one where I enjoyed myself. Where I wrote with a big smile on my face and little squeals of delight escaping me. Where I realized I was gonna have a hardcover. Where I gazed in disbelief at my preorders going up and getting closer to my dream number. Where I made reels that thrilled my soul. Where I stayed up till 1 a.m. because I couldn't bear to put down my own book.
Where I realized I was living out my sixteen-year-old self's dream.
And I'm so glad you're the book that made me accomplish that. Because I genuinely love you. You have so many of my favourite things:
* a setting that is based on history (including very mild mentions of religious persecution!), but that mixtures together my favourite elements from different eras (Victorian, Regency, Edwardian, Louis XIV, French Revolution, medieval...)
* a strong, beautiful friend group, but also betrayal by those you least expected to hurt you
* political drama, but with a message of peace despite your lack of control that really comforted me in this chaotic time
* a teensy adorable romance with a specific scene that made me smile until I felt like a Cheshire cat (and no misunderstandings or romantic drama)
* a retelling of The Bluebird inspired by The Three Musketeers, including lots of royal/court life and secret identities, but without filth or magic
* side characters who model the Christian faith + life, but also lots of realistic struggle (even bickering!) and humour
* an old-fashioned style with Robin Hood/Scarlet Pimpernel and G.A. Henty vibes, creating plenty of action and excitement, but skipping the rebellious attitude
* themes of loneliness, anxiety, grief, depression, guilt, body image/self-worth issues, and fear, which aren't erased or solved, but where you're pointed to the comfort you need
* cousin love, but also representation of how the people you love the best are sometimes those you understand the least
* lots of prayer, but also representation of struggling with Bible reading
* a theme of coming to terms with singleness, but that doesn't take over the whole story or end in a romance
* a maiden-in-distress/knight-in-shining-armour plot, but with God showing up and actually doing all of the saving himself
* lots of beautiful clothes (because why does old fiction get to be the only ones who describes clothes?) and lots of scripture (because why can't we have epigraphs and quotations in modern fiction?)
Yes, I put a lot of myself into you. Maybe more than I have in anything else, surprisingly. Pun not intended: you've been a tremendous comfort to me, because you keep reminding me that in everything I'm struggling through, turning my eyes back to the Master Author is always the help I need.
And now my journey is complete. Go forth into the world, little ANC. May you be a blessing and a joy. And whether you are loved or disliked, I hope you always point people to the source of all comfort.
Lovingly,
Your author
~ // ~
January 2025 | My wonderful editor Erika just finished her edits. I’ve applied them, and now the book is in the hands of my lovely proofreader Cate! We’re so close to finished, y’all!!!
~ // ~
December 2024 | And the beta feedback + self-edit is over! Now it’s in the hands of my lovely editor. I’m so excited, y’all, I love this book SO much 🥰
~ // ~
November 2024 | And it’s finished!!! ~50,000 words, so it’s a little beast, but we’re done at last! 🥳
~ // ~
October 2024 | And the writing has commenced!!! Aiming for 30k this month! 💪🏼
~ // ~
September 2024 | And it's live! Preorder it for just 99¢!!! 🤗
April 4, 2025
4 stars ✨ Christian Fiction - Fairytale Retelling
About this book:
“As lady-in-waiting to the crown princess, Thalassa d’Acton is used to hectic palace life. The bustle is a good excuse to avoid thinking of the insecurities that plague her. But when a usurper takes over the throne, Thalassa finds herself and her princess imprisoned in a lonely tower—and with all the time in the world to worry.
Outlawed Azaziah has roamed the land for years with his band of Inseparables. Playing knight errant was a God-given task, and helps him bear the knowledge that evil is spreading over his land unopposed. But now he alone knows the secret plans of the usurpers… and he isn’t enough to overturn the peril himself.
As personal and political turmoil heightens, despair floods over the hearts of Thalassa and Azaziah. What can comfort them even in the face of defeat? And can their inadequacy and loneliness possibly be the very opening the Eternal needs to change the course of their country’s destiny?”
Series: Book #16 in the multi-author series, “Cornerstone”. It does not seem to be connected to any other books, however. A stand-alone novel. Click on the books to be taken to that review: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #9, Book #10, Book #11!, and Book #12! The rest will be reviewed in the upcoming weeks.
Spiritual Content- Every chapter starts with a Scripture (or more); Many Scriptures are quoted, read, remembered, & thought over; Many Prayers & Thanking God; God is often called ‘the Eternal’ throughout this book; Talks about God, His will, & trusting Him; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; *Spoilers* ; *Spoilers about Thalassa’s depression and anxiety* ; Many mentions of God/the Eternal, Jesus Christ, His will, & trusting Him; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of miracles; A few mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A mention of someone being persecuted for their religious beliefs; A mention of meditating (implied on Scripture);
*Note: Someone says that the deity ‘Ekklesia’ herself is behind his plans (Alexios thinks that this deity may have “sincere, God-seeking souls in her ranks”, but for the most part is assembled by “religious yet unconverted beings, and her upper layers were little more than a political organization”; No other information about this deity is given after this comment); Thalassa realizes that if she was perfect, she would be a god (realizing that perfection is unrealistic and unattainable); Mentions of defeating evil; A mention of the unholy hours of an early morning; A mention of Cupid; A mention of something not being a talisman.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: 2 ‘balderdash!’s are exclaimed; Being imprisoned & potentially facing a death penalty; A bit of jealousy (from Thalassa to Constanza); Azaziah believes that everyone he has loved is lost to him (either by death or the person walking away); Mentions of potential wars; Mentions of possible assassins & assassination attempts (including being mauled by a tiger); Mentions of possible executions, beheadings, & deaths for treason; Mentions of grief & a man being cruel to his daughter for being the cause of his wife’s death following childbirth; Mentions of prisons, prisoners, & being imprisoned; Mentions of injuries & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of hunting; A mention of a death (due to a duel); A mention of a rumor of a woman doing cruel acts in fits of anger; A mention of possible murderers or robbers;
*Note: Thalassa struggles with feeling inferior & due to circumstances, she also battles depression and anxiety (*Spoiler, but notes about the depression and anxiety parts* ); A man catches a moth to burn it in a candle’s flame; A mention of others slandering a princess, saying she is a “bundle of defects”.
Sexual Content- A bit of jealousy (from Thalassa to Constanza and being on the end of a smitten smile from someone); Azaziah says another man is blessed because he doesn’t know what it is to love someone and be rejected; Thalassa craves affection and longs to be the most important person to someone, such as being chosen as a man’s lifelong partner; Mentions of jealousy/envy; A mention of flirtation;
*Note: Thalassa thinks negatively about her appearance and figure a couple of times (*Spoiler* ).
-Thalassa,
-Azaziah
P.O.V. switches between them & Alexios (x1)
197 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Whenever I have the opportunity to read a book that was written by a dear book friend, I’m always excited but also a bit nervous! Yay, I get to read their book! But what if I don’t enjoy the plot or the characters? It can put a reader in an awkward position, but I’m a firm believer that kind honesty in the best policy in many ways.
I’m happy to say that I did enjoy many elements of this story! I’ll admit that there was a lot of characters and they all had very unique names, so I did have a bit of a challenge with that at times and used the search feature on my Kindle then. Because of this and all the unfamiliar names of the fictional places and characters, the book definitely felt longer than it’s 190 pages so I did struggle throughout reading the book and it keeping my interest because of this and trying to keep everyone straight.
I was curious about Azaziah and we get hints about his past throughout the book, but once it all came to light, I got a little excited to see what would happen next. The last 30% of this book is where it really picked up for me and I got invested into the plot. I really liked the writing style and was able to visualize a lot of different parts while reading because of the descriptive writing style, which was neat.
Out of the 13 (of 16 total) books I’ve read from this series, I would say this one has the most faith content by far! I really liked how personal it became to Thalassa and how we see her try to trust God while struggling with depression over the circumstances she’s in. It was beautifully done and obviously a topic neat to the author’s heart, which she shared in the author’s note at the end of the book.
Personally, I would have loved pictures of everyone’s outfits and the items described, but I snooped on the author’s Instagram and Pinterest, which helped quite a bit with that. ;)
There’s really not a romance in this book, but the message of trusting God no matter what (including through anxiety and depression) took center stage, which I thought was carefully done with sincere encouragement. I would put this book in my top five for the series so far!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
About this book:
“As lady-in-waiting to the crown princess, Thalassa d’Acton is used to hectic palace life. The bustle is a good excuse to avoid thinking of the insecurities that plague her. But when a usurper takes over the throne, Thalassa finds herself and her princess imprisoned in a lonely tower—and with all the time in the world to worry.
Outlawed Azaziah has roamed the land for years with his band of Inseparables. Playing knight errant was a God-given task, and helps him bear the knowledge that evil is spreading over his land unopposed. But now he alone knows the secret plans of the usurpers… and he isn’t enough to overturn the peril himself.
As personal and political turmoil heightens, despair floods over the hearts of Thalassa and Azaziah. What can comfort them even in the face of defeat? And can their inadequacy and loneliness possibly be the very opening the Eternal needs to change the course of their country’s destiny?”
Series: Book #16 in the multi-author series, “Cornerstone”. It does not seem to be connected to any other books, however. A stand-alone novel. Click on the books to be taken to that review: Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #9, Book #10, Book #11!, and Book #12! The rest will be reviewed in the upcoming weeks.
Spiritual Content- Every chapter starts with a Scripture (or more); Many Scriptures are quoted, read, remembered, & thought over; Many Prayers & Thanking God; God is often called ‘the Eternal’ throughout this book; Talks about God, His will, & trusting Him; 'H's are not capital when referring to God; *Spoilers* ; *Spoilers about Thalassa’s depression and anxiety* ; Many mentions of God/the Eternal, Jesus Christ, His will, & trusting Him; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of miracles; A few mentions of blessings & being Blessed; A mention of someone being persecuted for their religious beliefs; A mention of meditating (implied on Scripture);
*Note: Someone says that the deity ‘Ekklesia’ herself is behind his plans (Alexios thinks that this deity may have “sincere, God-seeking souls in her ranks”, but for the most part is assembled by “religious yet unconverted beings, and her upper layers were little more than a political organization”; No other information about this deity is given after this comment); Thalassa realizes that if she was perfect, she would be a god (realizing that perfection is unrealistic and unattainable); Mentions of defeating evil; A mention of the unholy hours of an early morning; A mention of Cupid; A mention of something not being a talisman.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: 2 ‘balderdash!’s are exclaimed; Being imprisoned & potentially facing a death penalty; A bit of jealousy (from Thalassa to Constanza); Azaziah believes that everyone he has loved is lost to him (either by death or the person walking away); Mentions of potential wars; Mentions of possible assassins & assassination attempts (including being mauled by a tiger); Mentions of possible executions, beheadings, & deaths for treason; Mentions of grief & a man being cruel to his daughter for being the cause of his wife’s death following childbirth; Mentions of prisons, prisoners, & being imprisoned; Mentions of injuries & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of hunting; A mention of a death (due to a duel); A mention of a rumor of a woman doing cruel acts in fits of anger; A mention of possible murderers or robbers;
*Note: Thalassa struggles with feeling inferior & due to circumstances, she also battles depression and anxiety (*Spoiler, but notes about the depression and anxiety parts* ); A man catches a moth to burn it in a candle’s flame; A mention of others slandering a princess, saying she is a “bundle of defects”.
Sexual Content- A bit of jealousy (from Thalassa to Constanza and being on the end of a smitten smile from someone); Azaziah says another man is blessed because he doesn’t know what it is to love someone and be rejected; Thalassa craves affection and longs to be the most important person to someone, such as being chosen as a man’s lifelong partner; Mentions of jealousy/envy; A mention of flirtation;
*Note: Thalassa thinks negatively about her appearance and figure a couple of times (*Spoiler* ).
-Thalassa,
-Azaziah
P.O.V. switches between them & Alexios (x1)
197 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Whenever I have the opportunity to read a book that was written by a dear book friend, I’m always excited but also a bit nervous! Yay, I get to read their book! But what if I don’t enjoy the plot or the characters? It can put a reader in an awkward position, but I’m a firm believer that kind honesty in the best policy in many ways.
I’m happy to say that I did enjoy many elements of this story! I’ll admit that there was a lot of characters and they all had very unique names, so I did have a bit of a challenge with that at times and used the search feature on my Kindle then. Because of this and all the unfamiliar names of the fictional places and characters, the book definitely felt longer than it’s 190 pages so I did struggle throughout reading the book and it keeping my interest because of this and trying to keep everyone straight.
I was curious about Azaziah and we get hints about his past throughout the book, but once it all came to light, I got a little excited to see what would happen next. The last 30% of this book is where it really picked up for me and I got invested into the plot. I really liked the writing style and was able to visualize a lot of different parts while reading because of the descriptive writing style, which was neat.
Out of the 13 (of 16 total) books I’ve read from this series, I would say this one has the most faith content by far! I really liked how personal it became to Thalassa and how we see her try to trust God while struggling with depression over the circumstances she’s in. It was beautifully done and obviously a topic neat to the author’s heart, which she shared in the author’s note at the end of the book.
Personally, I would have loved pictures of everyone’s outfits and the items described, but I snooped on the author’s Instagram and Pinterest, which helped quite a bit with that. ;)
There’s really not a romance in this book, but the message of trusting God no matter what (including through anxiety and depression) took center stage, which I thought was carefully done with sincere encouragement. I would put this book in my top five for the series so far!
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
February 11, 2026
Sweet, precious story about learning to trust God and see in yourself what He sees in you! Also, the band of chivalrous guys? Definitely a plus!
February 23, 2025
Overall, this book was very well written. The characters were clear, distinct, and defined. The language was polished and interesting. The description was vivid and gave the entire story a sense of realness and grounding. The plot was both action packed and deeply spiritual with adventures and Biblical truths clearly and naturally woven throughout the story. I enjoyed seeing the story from Thalassa’s POV rather than that of the princess herself. Walking through anxiety and depression with her was moving and it also provided perspective on the princess that we wouldn’t have been able to see from her own POV.
The meditative sections on Scriptural truths were especially well done and relaxing. From a story standpoint, the flow was excellent in breaking up one tense adventure after another with character formation and spiritual growth.
The banter between the Inseparables was impeccable and so fun! They come across as real people with unique personalities, and each one has his one distinct voice, manner of speaking, and personhood that comes across perfectly through the writing.
The flow was excellent, as was the alternation between POVs. It did seem that Constanza kept finding herself in deeper and deeper trouble, but then the ending is quick and satisfying.
The depictions of the emotions were real and relatable. I loved the way the Biblical messages were shown and learned time and time again. It was excellently portrayed how peace, comfort, and joy come but there is still a daily struggle to receive them and live in them in new circumstances—the battle IS already won, but it takes time for us to receive and live in its victory.
And finally, the author note was darling. It is so heartfelt and real and raw and really helps the whole message of the story shine through—and shows how the story was written by God in and through this author.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed this book!
The meditative sections on Scriptural truths were especially well done and relaxing. From a story standpoint, the flow was excellent in breaking up one tense adventure after another with character formation and spiritual growth.
The banter between the Inseparables was impeccable and so fun! They come across as real people with unique personalities, and each one has his one distinct voice, manner of speaking, and personhood that comes across perfectly through the writing.
The flow was excellent, as was the alternation between POVs. It did seem that Constanza kept finding herself in deeper and deeper trouble, but then the ending is quick and satisfying.
The depictions of the emotions were real and relatable. I loved the way the Biblical messages were shown and learned time and time again. It was excellently portrayed how peace, comfort, and joy come but there is still a daily struggle to receive them and live in them in new circumstances—the battle IS already won, but it takes time for us to receive and live in its victory.
And finally, the author note was darling. It is so heartfelt and real and raw and really helps the whole message of the story shine through—and shows how the story was written by God in and through this author.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed this book!
Read
December 6, 2024I had the honor of beta-reading this, and I can say without a doubt the author's heart shines through every page. <3
February 23, 2025
This book unexpectedly spoke to a deep and vulnerable spot in my heart. Very rarely does a novel speak to me spiritually; this one did. Not particularly often, either, does a novel provoke me to tears; this one did. I happened to read this on a day when I most needed to hear its message. Treasures of truth tucked within its pages resonated with something the Lord was already speaking to me. Only God can do that.
Besides all that, this was a delightful romp of a tale! The characters were relatable, dynamic, and sprang off the page. The villains perhaps felt predictable and cliché, but they took up little enough screen time that I didn't mind. The plot also felt predictable at first, but then it took a few turns that I didn't see coming. And then the climax was exceedingly satisfying.
I loved watching the story through the eyes of characters who stood on the sidelines of the central plot. The princess' companion. The young king's friend. And the romance was light and barely perceptible--perfection.
What really made the book for me, however, was Labonté's skill with words. Her rich vocabulary gives an unmistakable nod to the classics. Her style of storytelling, also, reminded me of adventure books from days gone by.
Now, I must mention my appreciation for the author's world-building choices. In the few fantasy stories I have read, the countries within the fantasy world often follow a similar pattern: There's the main country, usually a "good" country. Then there might be a neighboring country, most likely a "bad" country. And then, maybe, there's some other, non-descript, barely relevant, country. I don't know, an ally or something. There's nothing particularly wrong with this setup, I suppose, other than that I find it flat and unnuanced.
But this story! There are THREE countries represented with equal courtesy. No "good" country or "bad" country. The novel didn't have the time or space to develop any of the three countries thoroughly, but they each had their own language, peculiarities, and customs of dress that the author took care to sprinkle in. This small, seemingly insignificant dynamic pleased me so much that I had to mention it!
All in all, this little book surprised me in several ways--and all of them very pleasant surprises indeed.
Besides all that, this was a delightful romp of a tale! The characters were relatable, dynamic, and sprang off the page. The villains perhaps felt predictable and cliché, but they took up little enough screen time that I didn't mind. The plot also felt predictable at first, but then it took a few turns that I didn't see coming. And then the climax was exceedingly satisfying.
I loved watching the story through the eyes of characters who stood on the sidelines of the central plot. The princess' companion. The young king's friend. And the romance was light and barely perceptible--perfection.
What really made the book for me, however, was Labonté's skill with words. Her rich vocabulary gives an unmistakable nod to the classics. Her style of storytelling, also, reminded me of adventure books from days gone by.
Now, I must mention my appreciation for the author's world-building choices. In the few fantasy stories I have read, the countries within the fantasy world often follow a similar pattern: There's the main country, usually a "good" country. Then there might be a neighboring country, most likely a "bad" country. And then, maybe, there's some other, non-descript, barely relevant, country. I don't know, an ally or something. There's nothing particularly wrong with this setup, I suppose, other than that I find it flat and unnuanced.
But this story! There are THREE countries represented with equal courtesy. No "good" country or "bad" country. The novel didn't have the time or space to develop any of the three countries thoroughly, but they each had their own language, peculiarities, and customs of dress that the author took care to sprinkle in. This small, seemingly insignificant dynamic pleased me so much that I had to mention it!
All in all, this little book surprised me in several ways--and all of them very pleasant surprises indeed.
February 16, 2025
4.5 stars!
Oh my goodness! This story is like all the beauty of a classic mixed with all the adventure of a fantasy! Plus, the themes were gorgeous! (I may or may not have teared up when I got to the authors note.)
Characters:
Azaiah's keen sense of justice is great, the lessons he learned while trying to bring justice about himself and believing it was up to him... Beautiful!
Thalassa... where do I start...her struggles with worth and beauty... I felt that. I'm wondering if you're still a worthwhile person if you can't keep it together... feeling like you need to for all those around you. I'm definitely not depressed like Thassie, just very weary at times from all the burdens I take on... and wondering if anyone will ever notice me.🤣 I feel like the plain sister sometimes, though I know that's not true. So I related to Thassie a lot.
Themes:
That God has this no matter what! He's always with us, and it never up to our own strength, for He is always with us!
It's about surrendering our burdens to Him and trusting Him even in the difficulties.
Romance:
Light romance between two side characters.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
A couple fight scenes, treachery, mentions of being left for dead, and a few other almost a bad thing moments...but handled splendidly. None of it made me squeamish.
Magic:
N/A
Overall:
I really enjoyed this retelling, and I now want to find the original Bluebird story...
This was splendid, wrapped up nicely, and overall, a delightful reading experience!
Recommended ages 13+
*I received an ARC from the author and all thoughts an opinions expressed above are entirely my own*
Oh my goodness! This story is like all the beauty of a classic mixed with all the adventure of a fantasy! Plus, the themes were gorgeous! (I may or may not have teared up when I got to the authors note.)
Characters:
Azaiah's keen sense of justice is great, the lessons he learned while trying to bring justice about himself and believing it was up to him... Beautiful!
Thalassa... where do I start...her struggles with worth and beauty... I felt that. I'm wondering if you're still a worthwhile person if you can't keep it together... feeling like you need to for all those around you. I'm definitely not depressed like Thassie, just very weary at times from all the burdens I take on... and wondering if anyone will ever notice me.🤣 I feel like the plain sister sometimes, though I know that's not true. So I related to Thassie a lot.
Themes:
That God has this no matter what! He's always with us, and it never up to our own strength, for He is always with us!
It's about surrendering our burdens to Him and trusting Him even in the difficulties.
Romance:
Light romance between two side characters.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
A couple fight scenes, treachery, mentions of being left for dead, and a few other almost a bad thing moments...but handled splendidly. None of it made me squeamish.
Magic:
N/A
Overall:
I really enjoyed this retelling, and I now want to find the original Bluebird story...
This was splendid, wrapped up nicely, and overall, a delightful reading experience!
Recommended ages 13+
*I received an ARC from the author and all thoughts an opinions expressed above are entirely my own*
January 8, 2026
Okay, so I'll admit while I was planning to read this book again sometime this year, this wasn't supposed to be the first book I reached for to start off my New Year 2026. I read it the day I got it, loved every second of it with wintry musketeer vibes, strong faith, thrilling schemes, and themes that spoke to me of trusting the Eternal because He is in always control, but I hadn't had time leave a review yet.
Then enter 2026, my book plans fell through... by no accident. It was the book I didn't know, but the Lord did know that I so needed as I took a slight dismal down dive. A huge thank you to the author Katja for using and sharing the gift of writing that the Lord blessed her with. I felt so seen, so heard, and so loved through Thalassa's story.
This time I drew so much comfort just from knowing that no matter what, even if all we have is the Lord, it is enough!
Every minute of this story is positively beautiful. My description loving heart was so happy.
The characters are written so well. I love the brother-band: dear trusting Kenneth, spiritually-minded Ammiel, humerous Penuel, and leader Ahaziah (my personal favorite). Their banter is the best. I don't usually laugh aloud in books, but let's just say it's all I can do to refrain from laughing...."Go boil your head."
My dear poor Constanza, I admired so for her strong faith, and commitment to the word. Grand-mama was such a lovely addition. I loved the old lady to pieces.
CW (only for younger readers): death, wounds (none of it is gory in any way)
My Rating/ Age Recommendation:
5 Stars (As in 5 hundred)/ 16+
I've heard rumors (I hope with all my heart that they are true) that a sequel is in order. I definitely need it :).
Then enter 2026, my book plans fell through... by no accident. It was the book I didn't know, but the Lord did know that I so needed as I took a slight dismal down dive. A huge thank you to the author Katja for using and sharing the gift of writing that the Lord blessed her with. I felt so seen, so heard, and so loved through Thalassa's story.
This time I drew so much comfort just from knowing that no matter what, even if all we have is the Lord, it is enough!
Every minute of this story is positively beautiful. My description loving heart was so happy.
The characters are written so well. I love the brother-band: dear trusting Kenneth, spiritually-minded Ammiel, humerous Penuel, and leader Ahaziah (my personal favorite). Their banter is the best. I don't usually laugh aloud in books, but let's just say it's all I can do to refrain from laughing...."Go boil your head."
My dear poor Constanza, I admired so for her strong faith, and commitment to the word. Grand-mama was such a lovely addition. I loved the old lady to pieces.
CW (only for younger readers): death, wounds (none of it is gory in any way)
My Rating/ Age Recommendation:
5 Stars (As in 5 hundred)/ 16+
I've heard rumors (I hope with all my heart that they are true) that a sequel is in order. I definitely need it :).
February 14, 2025
This is a Bluebird Fairy Tale retelling. I have not read that fairytale so I didn’t know what would happen in this story. I found it very interesting and there were some things that I didn’t see coming. It took me a little while to get into it, because I was confused by the writing style (not the fault of the author but my own), but once I figured it out it was great. I liked how brave Thalassa and Constanza were. There is also great Christian content through the book. Overall a good read and I recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
January 6, 2026
I cannot express to you how much I adore this book! Not only is it written by a dear friend, but the deep themes, hilarious and well timed humor and overwhelming view of Christ bringing hope without bring, "preachy," as some would say, easily make this one of my very favorite books ever!
September 29, 2025
Glancing at the cover, I assumed this story would fall outside my usual comfort reading. But I’ll tell you, A Noble Comfort turned out to be an enjoyable and memorable tale. It’s categorized as “non-magical fantasy” (which I suppose it is, though I can’t recall reading anything else in that genre); really, its genre and setting feel much closer to The Three Musketeers or Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
From start to finish, the story held me in its world. I was never bored, yet never overwhelmed. Even when I set the book aside for a few days, I could pick it back up without needing to retrace details. The characters were easy to distinguish, and the cultures came alive through their varied personalities. I especially favored Azaziah’s character, though I genuinely enjoyed hearing from all the “Inseparables.” The two main female characters, Thalassa and Constanza, were believable, distinct, and colorful. A few underlying spiritual themes were thoughtfully woven in, never forced or overstated.
For its relatively short length, A Noble Comfort impressed me with its world-building. The cultures, landscapes, and histories made me want to know more, and I would gladly read another book set in any of the three kingdoms.
One unexpected delight was the vocabulary. On my Kindle, I found myself highlighting several words to look up: usually clothing terms or European noble titles I had never encountered before. Well done, Katja Labonté!
I recommend A Noble Comfort to anyone who wants a world reminiscent of Alexandre Dumas, with a writing style (courtly intrigue, personal danger, and dialogue-driven tension) more akin to Anthony Hope’s The Prisoner of Zenda.
From start to finish, the story held me in its world. I was never bored, yet never overwhelmed. Even when I set the book aside for a few days, I could pick it back up without needing to retrace details. The characters were easy to distinguish, and the cultures came alive through their varied personalities. I especially favored Azaziah’s character, though I genuinely enjoyed hearing from all the “Inseparables.” The two main female characters, Thalassa and Constanza, were believable, distinct, and colorful. A few underlying spiritual themes were thoughtfully woven in, never forced or overstated.
For its relatively short length, A Noble Comfort impressed me with its world-building. The cultures, landscapes, and histories made me want to know more, and I would gladly read another book set in any of the three kingdoms.
One unexpected delight was the vocabulary. On my Kindle, I found myself highlighting several words to look up: usually clothing terms or European noble titles I had never encountered before. Well done, Katja Labonté!
I recommend A Noble Comfort to anyone who wants a world reminiscent of Alexandre Dumas, with a writing style (courtly intrigue, personal danger, and dialogue-driven tension) more akin to Anthony Hope’s The Prisoner of Zenda.
June 27, 2025
Enjoyable fairytale retelling. I've never read the Bluebird fairy tale before, but it seemed to mesh with the Three Musketeers characters well.
It is admittedly very difficult to fit a complicated plotline into a book this short, and I felt that was what kept this book from being truly excellent. Each chapter was told from a different perspective, and the jumping around distanced me from the plot and characters. There also was more page space devoted to inner angst and turmoil than I care to read, I would have preferred the space be spent on more plot development. I thought the writing itself was actually quite good, so I was halfway through the book before I realized I was losing interest in the plot and characters.
In the end, a fairytale retelling with a Three Musketeers flair was quite fun to read, and the writing was good. My preference of reading more plot and less inner thoughts brought it down to a 3 star, "average" rating.
Content: Very clean. A couple somewhat scary scenes, but I don't remember any detailed violence. The romance was also very light because the romantic leads weren't often the main perspective in that chapter.
It is admittedly very difficult to fit a complicated plotline into a book this short, and I felt that was what kept this book from being truly excellent. Each chapter was told from a different perspective, and the jumping around distanced me from the plot and characters. There also was more page space devoted to inner angst and turmoil than I care to read, I would have preferred the space be spent on more plot development. I thought the writing itself was actually quite good, so I was halfway through the book before I realized I was losing interest in the plot and characters.
In the end, a fairytale retelling with a Three Musketeers flair was quite fun to read, and the writing was good. My preference of reading more plot and less inner thoughts brought it down to a 3 star, "average" rating.
Content: Very clean. A couple somewhat scary scenes, but I don't remember any detailed violence. The romance was also very light because the romantic leads weren't often the main perspective in that chapter.
October 7, 2025
Spellbinding
This pseudo-medieval, non-magical fairytale kept me spellbound from the beginning. Although the characters’ names were a bit difficult to pronounce in my mind (and I’m not sure I ever quite got all of the nobles straight), their distinct voices, intricate motivations, and relatable struggles drew me in. The element of faith and the truth of God’s Word were handled in a natural way. I found myself encouraged and even moved to tears at times. The rich description and believable dialogue also contribute to make this a delightful read
This pseudo-medieval, non-magical fairytale kept me spellbound from the beginning. Although the characters’ names were a bit difficult to pronounce in my mind (and I’m not sure I ever quite got all of the nobles straight), their distinct voices, intricate motivations, and relatable struggles drew me in. The element of faith and the truth of God’s Word were handled in a natural way. I found myself encouraged and even moved to tears at times. The rich description and believable dialogue also contribute to make this a delightful read
May 1, 2025
Loved it! Review to come.
June 10, 2025
Rtc but basically I loved this!!!!
August 14, 2025
A Noble Comfort is the first book I have read by Katja H. Labonté and the second I have read in the Cornerstone Series. You won’t want to put this book down as the characters fight for the throne and work to stop a conspiracy against the capital.
While this book is a fairytale, it contains very strong moral and biblical messages. Its biblical themes include praising God, trusting Him, and basking in His presence. It also refers to God as the Eternal and includes references to scripture, Bible stories, and prayers.
I also found it unique that the characters you initially expect to be the main focus actually are not.
Thalassa, the princess’s lady-in-waiting, is a captivating character. She struggles with her identity, appearance, personality, and fear of rejection. When she is captured, emotions boil over and depression sinks in. As time goes on, she recalls scripture and learns about her identity in Christ. She experiences a powerful moment when she realizes the depth of God’s plans and His love for her. I appreciate the honesty of the struggle to continue walking in freedom.
There is a light romance between two characters, but ultimately this book is an adventure that highlights how the Eternal’s plans are best, regardless of what we go through or how we feel.
✨I received a free copy of the book and chose to review it all opinions are my own.
While this book is a fairytale, it contains very strong moral and biblical messages. Its biblical themes include praising God, trusting Him, and basking in His presence. It also refers to God as the Eternal and includes references to scripture, Bible stories, and prayers.
I also found it unique that the characters you initially expect to be the main focus actually are not.
Thalassa, the princess’s lady-in-waiting, is a captivating character. She struggles with her identity, appearance, personality, and fear of rejection. When she is captured, emotions boil over and depression sinks in. As time goes on, she recalls scripture and learns about her identity in Christ. She experiences a powerful moment when she realizes the depth of God’s plans and His love for her. I appreciate the honesty of the struggle to continue walking in freedom.
There is a light romance between two characters, but ultimately this book is an adventure that highlights how the Eternal’s plans are best, regardless of what we go through or how we feel.
✨I received a free copy of the book and chose to review it all opinions are my own.
July 27, 2025
9/10
This was such a beautifully written story with an extra personal touch to the characters’ faith journeys.
I also liked how the MCs mostly played second fiddle to the center stage characters. We don’t see that a lot. (I’ve seen cases of overdeveloped side characters with an underdeveloped protagonist in other books, but that wasn’t an issue here.) In fact, it helped the story build so much better by having characters seem & feel almost unimportant.
I’ll admit the massive list of characters, old fashioned writing style & slower pacing intimidated me at first, but I knew from past experience that sticking with books like these can be super rewarding. Had I given up, I would’ve missed out on a lot of fun moments of banter & sweetness as well as other surprises I won’t spoil. Not to mention some beautiful faith bolstering quotes from multiple characters.
This book is packed full of wonderful verses that fit each chapter & situation. When Azzi reflected on memorizing the 119th Psalm for personal glory I may have laughed out loud because at one time I wanted to do the same thing for the same reason. Hahaha
This was such a beautifully written story with an extra personal touch to the characters’ faith journeys.
I also liked how the MCs mostly played second fiddle to the center stage characters. We don’t see that a lot. (I’ve seen cases of overdeveloped side characters with an underdeveloped protagonist in other books, but that wasn’t an issue here.) In fact, it helped the story build so much better by having characters seem & feel almost unimportant.
I’ll admit the massive list of characters, old fashioned writing style & slower pacing intimidated me at first, but I knew from past experience that sticking with books like these can be super rewarding. Had I given up, I would’ve missed out on a lot of fun moments of banter & sweetness as well as other surprises I won’t spoil. Not to mention some beautiful faith bolstering quotes from multiple characters.
This book is packed full of wonderful verses that fit each chapter & situation. When Azzi reflected on memorizing the 119th Psalm for personal glory I may have laughed out loud because at one time I wanted to do the same thing for the same reason. Hahaha
February 15, 2025
A Noble Comfort tells the tale of a woman struggling with her imperfections and fears of being a disappointment to all; sprinkle in people with the characteristics of some three or four musketeers from The Three Musketeers.
If you're looking for a story with the old fiction writing style, broken and isolated characters, and exploring a theme everyone must confront in a time of their life, then you might like A Noble Comfort. I have to note though, that I thought that the romance in this would be between Thalassa and Azaziah. Well, since they were in separate places, they did not interact at all until the very end which pretty much left me rooting for them to have a story of their own. That is, if Labonté would write it, of course.
If you're looking for a story with the old fiction writing style, broken and isolated characters, and exploring a theme everyone must confront in a time of their life, then you might like A Noble Comfort. I have to note though, that I thought that the romance in this would be between Thalassa and Azaziah. Well, since they were in separate places, they did not interact at all until the very end which pretty much left me rooting for them to have a story of their own. That is, if Labonté would write it, of course.
February 11, 2026
By far the best in the series! This was my first book by Katja and I hope not my last.
I've never read a retelling of The Three Musketeers or The Blue Bird, however this was beautifully orchestrated! It was rich with details and the plot was seamless. Justice wins in the end. While from 2 POVs, no real love bloomed in the book. But it was a very satisfying read regardless! I'm so happy I stumbled across this series!
I've never read a retelling of The Three Musketeers or The Blue Bird, however this was beautifully orchestrated! It was rich with details and the plot was seamless. Justice wins in the end. While from 2 POVs, no real love bloomed in the book. But it was a very satisfying read regardless! I'm so happy I stumbled across this series!
March 16, 2025
Read in one sitting; loved falling in love with the characters (esp. Thalassa, Azaziah, and Kenneth) all over again. :D
April 2, 2025
Interesting Story, Disappointing Ending
This retelling is different as the pov is essentially shared by two side characters to the retold tale. I do think elements of the fairy tale are woven throughout the story well and that the book is generally well written with few errors (kindle version). I also liked the older feeling tone/voice instead of the modern language often found in these types of books. It went well with the Three Musketeers (and Robin Hood/Scarlet Pimpernel) flair, which I loved.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book; however, I finished the book dissatisfied as the story felt incomplete for the two pov characters. Perhaps another book is forthcoming, though one was not advertised within.
As for the spirituality, characters finding strength and hope in faith can be powerful, and some of it was here, but the book got very repetitive and even off putting by the end.
This retelling is different as the pov is essentially shared by two side characters to the retold tale. I do think elements of the fairy tale are woven throughout the story well and that the book is generally well written with few errors (kindle version). I also liked the older feeling tone/voice instead of the modern language often found in these types of books. It went well with the Three Musketeers (and Robin Hood/Scarlet Pimpernel) flair, which I loved.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book; however, I finished the book dissatisfied as the story felt incomplete for the two pov characters. Perhaps another book is forthcoming, though one was not advertised within.
As for the spirituality, characters finding strength and hope in faith can be powerful, and some of it was here, but the book got very repetitive and even off putting by the end.
February 9, 2025
Not your typical fairy take romantic retelling but what a story!
Set in a fantasy world where evil schemes and good is oppressed, a story of faithfulness of God and to God in the midst of court intrigue and inner struggles of worth comes to light. With a very engaging style this author - absolutely new to me! - pulls you in to cheer for the righteous to triumph over the evil-doers. Unapologetically Bible-based, the book opens with a gripping prologue where you can’t help but pick sides, and then prepare for the inevitable to unravel while Ms. Labontè points to the One who is always in control and Who can be trusted always.
Other things to enjoy:
worth not in looks but in character
Beauty in the Inner strength
The evil of apathy
Futility of the approval of people
Value in love
Strength in the Lord
Comfort in God’s word
Everyone deserves redemption in Christ
Light overcomes darkness
The book is not a POV of any character which gives a very rounded understanding of the events. I would recommend to get familiar with the Bluebird fairy tale (Wikipedia gives a great synopsis). Firstly, because it’s a great one, and secondly, you’ll enjoy little nods to the fairy tale in the book. Add to this mysteries, secrets, and a light romance, and you’ve gotten yourself a wonderful book.
My favorite part is when one of the characters actually comes to treasure and rely on the everlasting, faithful love of God through all the turmoil.
Possible triggers: familial abandonment, depression, war (eluded).
I had a privilege to read an advanced copy but all opinions expressed are my own.
Set in a fantasy world where evil schemes and good is oppressed, a story of faithfulness of God and to God in the midst of court intrigue and inner struggles of worth comes to light. With a very engaging style this author - absolutely new to me! - pulls you in to cheer for the righteous to triumph over the evil-doers. Unapologetically Bible-based, the book opens with a gripping prologue where you can’t help but pick sides, and then prepare for the inevitable to unravel while Ms. Labontè points to the One who is always in control and Who can be trusted always.
Other things to enjoy:
worth not in looks but in character
Beauty in the Inner strength
The evil of apathy
Futility of the approval of people
Value in love
Strength in the Lord
Comfort in God’s word
Everyone deserves redemption in Christ
Light overcomes darkness
The book is not a POV of any character which gives a very rounded understanding of the events. I would recommend to get familiar with the Bluebird fairy tale (Wikipedia gives a great synopsis). Firstly, because it’s a great one, and secondly, you’ll enjoy little nods to the fairy tale in the book. Add to this mysteries, secrets, and a light romance, and you’ve gotten yourself a wonderful book.
My favorite part is when one of the characters actually comes to treasure and rely on the everlasting, faithful love of God through all the turmoil.
Possible triggers: familial abandonment, depression, war (eluded).
I had a privilege to read an advanced copy but all opinions expressed are my own.
February 21, 2025
I appreciated this fascinating and lyrical retelling of The Blue Bird story, mixed in with The Three Musketeers and the Bible, all in one enchanting tale where encounters with the Eternal spur His people on to exhibit incredible faith during immense trials. This book was earnest and vulnerable in showing the struggles that Christians still face, while trusting that God can bring good from every situation. The author's embellished style of writing heightens the world of light fantasy and draws readers into pure imagination, while allowing them to care for the characters she has created, along with their plights. This contrast of soaring vocabulary used on humble everyday people elevates the story into an experience.
Where this story excels is in depicting helplessness in its rawest form without extinguishing the light flicker of hope. Though it is faint, there is a continuous thread of trusting in God. Constanza ends up being such a resilient character, that one can't help but cheer her on in her perseverance. If you're looking for an engrossing story where there is triumph over adversity and wonder in the midst of trial, A Noble Comfort will indeed bring comfort as it depicts God's everlasting presence in all of the circumstances that we may face.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Where this story excels is in depicting helplessness in its rawest form without extinguishing the light flicker of hope. Though it is faint, there is a continuous thread of trusting in God. Constanza ends up being such a resilient character, that one can't help but cheer her on in her perseverance. If you're looking for an engrossing story where there is triumph over adversity and wonder in the midst of trial, A Noble Comfort will indeed bring comfort as it depicts God's everlasting presence in all of the circumstances that we may face.
Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...
I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 7, 2025
I don't often read a book in one day. But once I started ANC, it was hard for me to stop - even for yard sale shopping. 😉
Augh, where do I start?! I love all these characters - Katja, you made them so very alive. I identify way too much with Thalassa and all her struggles 😭 The Inseparables had me snorting with laughter SO MANY times! Penuel especially; I can see the Long Patrol hare inspiration (IYKYK) and I love his irrepressible snark 😂
The setting is impeccable - a lovely mix of cultures, especially French and Irish, yay! *happy wiggles* and lot of inspo from different eras, which makes me happy. Idk why, but I love mixing eras in my fantasies. 😇
And lots of political intrigue, with so many tense "what-happens-next" moments. OOH, Cellach de Quotinne is SUCH a scary villain *shivers* 😬
Normally I can get a little annoyed with a deus ex machina, but yk what? It really works well in this instance!
Love all the Scripture references and lessons in this! They feel so natural and in some cases very timely. 💕
Augh, where do I start?! I love all these characters - Katja, you made them so very alive. I identify way too much with Thalassa and all her struggles 😭 The Inseparables had me snorting with laughter SO MANY times! Penuel especially; I can see the Long Patrol hare inspiration (IYKYK) and I love his irrepressible snark 😂
The setting is impeccable - a lovely mix of cultures, especially French and Irish, yay! *happy wiggles* and lot of inspo from different eras, which makes me happy. Idk why, but I love mixing eras in my fantasies. 😇
And lots of political intrigue, with so many tense "what-happens-next" moments. OOH, Cellach de Quotinne is SUCH a scary villain *shivers* 😬
Normally I can get a little annoyed with a deus ex machina, but yk what? It really works well in this instance!
Love all the Scripture references and lessons in this! They feel so natural and in some cases very timely. 💕
February 26, 2025
Swashbuckling heros and sweet princesses
Alexi is a duke that stands up to the chancellor only to be hunted and supposedly killed, leaving his cousin, Crown Princess Constanza alone. She is betrothed to King Kenneth, but the chancellor tries to replace her with his own granddaughter. When that doesn't work, he charges her with treason. Will Constanza and Thalassa never be free?
Full of trials and hardship, this story is also full of hope right from the scripture. Such a good story!
Alexi is a duke that stands up to the chancellor only to be hunted and supposedly killed, leaving his cousin, Crown Princess Constanza alone. She is betrothed to King Kenneth, but the chancellor tries to replace her with his own granddaughter. When that doesn't work, he charges her with treason. Will Constanza and Thalassa never be free?
Full of trials and hardship, this story is also full of hope right from the scripture. Such a good story!
February 15, 2025
Ach. Okay, I think Penuel was probably one of my favorite characters. Ahhh! And the Inseperables are just…so much fun. 🤩 😂 Katja delved deep in here too and I love how real the characters and their struggles were. What stuck out to me in here was that God loves us and made and created us for a reason. We’re special in our own unique ways and God doesn’t make mistakes!
I read the ARC for this story! All thoughts are my very own and not anyone else’s! NOW GO READ IT!! I PROMISE YOU’LL ENJOY IT!!
I read the ARC for this story! All thoughts are my very own and not anyone else’s! NOW GO READ IT!! I PROMISE YOU’LL ENJOY IT!!
February 16, 2025
┈ ⋞ 〈 A Noble Comfort 〉 ⋟ ┈ ★★★★★
╰┈➤ May I preface with… WOW 🤯
Never have a read such a modern release than stunned me literature wise, and yet also dove into my soul and into my faith. I’m not kidding when I say I was almost with a tear or too near the finale as I really could see God’s handiwork alongside the author here. I want to personally thank the author for all she overcame to write this book because it was a masterpiece in my eyes.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
⊹₊ I’m ashamed to say I’ve never heard of the Bluebird tale before this 🙈 But after a quick once over of a Wikipedia article I can’t deny that this retelling clearly follows the original story and I love that <3
What I loved:
💙 The faith content 💕 (there was a verse above every chapter and even more was weaved into the story in a seamless way that was not awkward or forced but beautiful. One of the best Christian fiction books I’ve read in a year honestly)
⚔️ The world building
💙 The undertones addressing depression (beautifully tackled)
⚔️ The plot overall
💙 The characters (incredibly developed and all with buildup and change to themselves by the end)
⚔️ The authors note at the end (I don’t usually put this in here but it really wrapped up the book nicely and I appreciate the author’s raw honesty. I especially respect, and could plainly see, the amount of prayers and effort that went into each chapter)
💙 The romance (super sweet)
What I didn’t love:
💙 Not gonna lie it was all splendid and the only thing I could think of was on me 🤪 I have a hard time following names so I struggled a little but that is 100% on me lol
⊹₊ Overall I could rant on and on of how much this book really did impact my heart in soul on a different level but I will spare you any longer of a review haha. To surmise if you’ve ever found yourself in a low valley, one of darkness where you’ve struggled, this book is written for you. If you’ve ever been burdened under anxiety this book will speak to you. If you’ve ever had the Father lead you through the lowest moment of your life or have yet to this book will speak to you. I can’t recommend it enough <33
Special thanks to the author and her publisher for my ARC copy of the book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts are happily my own :)
╰┈➤ May I preface with… WOW 🤯
Never have a read such a modern release than stunned me literature wise, and yet also dove into my soul and into my faith. I’m not kidding when I say I was almost with a tear or too near the finale as I really could see God’s handiwork alongside the author here. I want to personally thank the author for all she overcame to write this book because it was a masterpiece in my eyes.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
⊹₊ I’m ashamed to say I’ve never heard of the Bluebird tale before this 🙈 But after a quick once over of a Wikipedia article I can’t deny that this retelling clearly follows the original story and I love that <3
What I loved:
💙 The faith content 💕 (there was a verse above every chapter and even more was weaved into the story in a seamless way that was not awkward or forced but beautiful. One of the best Christian fiction books I’ve read in a year honestly)
⚔️ The world building
💙 The undertones addressing depression (beautifully tackled)
⚔️ The plot overall
💙 The characters (incredibly developed and all with buildup and change to themselves by the end)
⚔️ The authors note at the end (I don’t usually put this in here but it really wrapped up the book nicely and I appreciate the author’s raw honesty. I especially respect, and could plainly see, the amount of prayers and effort that went into each chapter)
💙 The romance (super sweet)
What I didn’t love:
💙 Not gonna lie it was all splendid and the only thing I could think of was on me 🤪 I have a hard time following names so I struggled a little but that is 100% on me lol
⊹₊ Overall I could rant on and on of how much this book really did impact my heart in soul on a different level but I will spare you any longer of a review haha. To surmise if you’ve ever found yourself in a low valley, one of darkness where you’ve struggled, this book is written for you. If you’ve ever been burdened under anxiety this book will speak to you. If you’ve ever had the Father lead you through the lowest moment of your life or have yet to this book will speak to you. I can’t recommend it enough <33
Special thanks to the author and her publisher for my ARC copy of the book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts are happily my own :)
February 21, 2025
I am so happy I gave this wonderful book a try! Since I was only vaguely familiar with the fairy tale “Blue Bird” and also the “Three Musketeers” I read a few short summaries of those and definitely found elements of the stories in this novella. But now I really want to read the originals, especially Blue Bird!
This book is - as the title suggests - about the comfort God can give in the darkest circumstances. But also about the comfort of loyal friends. And both aspects were done so well! The faith content is powerful and realistic and the strong friendships were definitely one of the highlights of the novella! There’s also a very light romance subplot, but only between two side characters. So this is something you should be aware of, if you expect a romance.
I absolutely loved the main characters Thassie and Azaziah, but also Thassie’s dear friend Constanza was wonderful. They were all brave and selfless. Azaziah fights for what is right while Constanza is so gentle and trusting. All three represent very different but equally virtuous character traits, but I have to say Thalassa was the one I empathized the most with. Thassie struggles with her worth and with her faith and it’s only in her deep despair that she seeks the Lord and finds comfort in Him. Her story was just beautiful and I could relate to her a lot. I also loved that she wasn’t instantly a happy-go-lucky person. Like a prayer miraculously fixes all our heartaches and worries. “... my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
Even though the Bible is pretty clear, I find that books, movies and media in general often portray God’s peace and comfort in an unrealistic way and I really appreciated how Thalassa’s growth in faith was written.
There were quite a few characters in this novella and most of them were addressed by different names (first name, title, nickname…) so this confused me at first and for at least the first third of the book I went back frequently to the introduction page/character list to read who I was dealing with. But this gladly didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story.
There were passages where I literally held my breath. The worldbuilding in general and the action scenes in particular were amazing, but there was one really quiet escape scene that really had my heart pounding!
So it’s more than fair to say that this is an absolutely intriguing story, a novella that highlights God’s faithfulness, love and peace and a wonderful addition to the Cornerstone series!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
This book is - as the title suggests - about the comfort God can give in the darkest circumstances. But also about the comfort of loyal friends. And both aspects were done so well! The faith content is powerful and realistic and the strong friendships were definitely one of the highlights of the novella! There’s also a very light romance subplot, but only between two side characters. So this is something you should be aware of, if you expect a romance.
I absolutely loved the main characters Thassie and Azaziah, but also Thassie’s dear friend Constanza was wonderful. They were all brave and selfless. Azaziah fights for what is right while Constanza is so gentle and trusting. All three represent very different but equally virtuous character traits, but I have to say Thalassa was the one I empathized the most with. Thassie struggles with her worth and with her faith and it’s only in her deep despair that she seeks the Lord and finds comfort in Him. Her story was just beautiful and I could relate to her a lot. I also loved that she wasn’t instantly a happy-go-lucky person. Like a prayer miraculously fixes all our heartaches and worries. “... my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
Even though the Bible is pretty clear, I find that books, movies and media in general often portray God’s peace and comfort in an unrealistic way and I really appreciated how Thalassa’s growth in faith was written.
There were quite a few characters in this novella and most of them were addressed by different names (first name, title, nickname…) so this confused me at first and for at least the first third of the book I went back frequently to the introduction page/character list to read who I was dealing with. But this gladly didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story.
There were passages where I literally held my breath. The worldbuilding in general and the action scenes in particular were amazing, but there was one really quiet escape scene that really had my heart pounding!
So it’s more than fair to say that this is an absolutely intriguing story, a novella that highlights God’s faithfulness, love and peace and a wonderful addition to the Cornerstone series!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
December 11, 2025
Royal courts, elaborate outfits, and narrow escapes? Sign me up, every time! This book had a splendid mix of slower, realistic days of waiting and learning to deal with inner conflict, and fast action where they had to fight outside enemies. The description of the costumes was delightful! Most of them felt 18th century, which is my favorite time period right now. Uniforms, court dress, gowns - all very well developed, and even the men had great outfits! Male apparel can be so overlooked. Men didn't always dress as boring as they do now. :) The one thing I didn't enjoy was the use of cosmetics. For a while I thought perhaps it was a plot device that would resolve with the main character abandoning the 'mask' she wore before for her real face, but that didn't happen. As someone who has never worn make up in her life, maybe I just couldn't relate with it being a 'given' that she had to do-up for every occasion, and it seemed to clash with her spiritual development.
The character development was well done. So many stories show people having an issue (depression, fear, anxiety, anger) and after one bright brainstorm moment, they never deal with it again. Many of Thalassa's discoveries so closely mirrored things the Lord has taught me over the years, it really almost brought tears to my eyes! Also, I avoid reading Christian fantasy books that create a deity, but even though the name 'The Eternal' was used for God (the author has clarified that that is the English translation of the French term for God the Father), there were references to His Son, Jesus Christ - that's the name to which every knee shall bow and tongue confess, and if He is not part of it, than it's not okay with me. I'm never comfortable with 'Christian fiction' including made-up religions with made-up gods. But this book does not have a made up religion, and I found it very encouraging in content.
And...there was just a hint of what I'd been hoping for the whole story long in that final scene! It's always nice to end a book dreaming of 'something more'.
All in all, a triumphant read - which I always appreciate in Christian fiction. No matter how hopeless it may seem, the day of victory is coming!
The character development was well done. So many stories show people having an issue (depression, fear, anxiety, anger) and after one bright brainstorm moment, they never deal with it again. Many of Thalassa's discoveries so closely mirrored things the Lord has taught me over the years, it really almost brought tears to my eyes! Also, I avoid reading Christian fantasy books that create a deity, but even though the name 'The Eternal' was used for God (the author has clarified that that is the English translation of the French term for God the Father), there were references to His Son, Jesus Christ - that's the name to which every knee shall bow and tongue confess, and if He is not part of it, than it's not okay with me. I'm never comfortable with 'Christian fiction' including made-up religions with made-up gods. But this book does not have a made up religion, and I found it very encouraging in content.
And...there was just a hint of what I'd been hoping for the whole story long in that final scene! It's always nice to end a book dreaming of 'something more'.
All in all, a triumphant read - which I always appreciate in Christian fiction. No matter how hopeless it may seem, the day of victory is coming!
June 6, 2025
If you'd told me that I would be a huge fan of a Blue Bird and Three Musketeers retelling, I would be puzzled... I hadn't read the original of either, that I could recall. (Which is why I had to reread the Blue Bird first. I had enough grasp of the Three Musketeers to make it work, and I remembered partway through that I'd read some of it when I was small, so it all worked out in the end. I wanted to ask if the yellow dress on the cover was a nod to the mustard-colored horse that one of the Musketeers owned since that was the bit I thought was coolest at the tender age of eight, but it then occurred to me that if that had been the case, we'd be calling poor Thalassa a horse, and that ain't the case. So there's some of the mad inner workings of me brain...)
I LOVED this book. The plot, characters, and world were all gorgeous. I think I will cry. READ THIS BOOK.
I loved every one of the little peeps in the book. They were ALL very, very well-done. Also, I think ol' Pen is a hoot and a half. He never, ever stops talking. Or has much of a filter on what he says. The characters are first-class.
The themes of God's faithfulness and love are a great comfort to me, and I don't struggle with depression or despair as much as some I know; so I can only imagine how much more 'heard' that someone who struggles mightily will find this book. Thematically, this book is a treasure.
The plot is recognizable but a fresh thing, and I think that the Rex and Constanza deserve a very happy ending... but you'll have to read the book to find out whether or not they acheive it. 😉
I LOVED this book. The plot, characters, and world were all gorgeous. I think I will cry. READ THIS BOOK.
I loved every one of the little peeps in the book. They were ALL very, very well-done. Also, I think ol' Pen is a hoot and a half. He never, ever stops talking. Or has much of a filter on what he says. The characters are first-class.
The themes of God's faithfulness and love are a great comfort to me, and I don't struggle with depression or despair as much as some I know; so I can only imagine how much more 'heard' that someone who struggles mightily will find this book. Thematically, this book is a treasure.
The plot is recognizable but a fresh thing, and I think that the Rex and Constanza deserve a very happy ending... but you'll have to read the book to find out whether or not they acheive it. 😉
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